What is that?
When the BMW 1 Series went front-wheel-drive in 2019 it had something to prove, and with the Volkswagen Golf R-baiting, four-wheel-drive BMW M135 xDrive, it demonstrated it could build a hot hatch. efficient, while retaining the expensive “premium” feel of a BMW.
And now it has received an update. It’s the wrong facelift – it’s not due until 2024 – and aside from a few new paint options like the retina-scorching Sao Paulo Yellow in photos, the changes are purely mechanical.
According to the engineers, the aim was to create a wider bandwidth for the M135i as a model range by focusing the standard M Sport suspension on the choice of driving enthusiasts, while preserving the suspension car’s capabilities. adaptive as a multi-purpose vehicle.
To that end, all versions get more sound from the speakers, more alert torque vectoring under braking, retuned xDrive and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires, but cars with M Sport suspension get new springs and dampers. , two degrees of front camber, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on 19-inch wheels, and stiffer bushings and mounts for optimum steering precision.
What does it look like?
The changes permanently separated the two versions. Chassis balance on both is still the same in that the M135i feels like a front-wheel-drive car with infinite traction rather than a Ford Focus RS-style hip-wiggler. Adjustments to reduce steering torque worked, because there is none.
The M135i also feels more nimble than before thanks to revamped torque vectoring, or “Performance Control” in BMW parlance. Pile into a corner near the grip limit and you can feel the system pinch the inside brakes to correct the car’s course. It’s a bit contrived and not particularly subtle, but an entertaining addition nonetheless.
After a test drive in both versions, however, I’m not convinced that the level of chassis sharpness from the sports suspension is worth the no-compromise ride. It corners with a more immediate touch and, thanks to the wider Pilot Sport 4Ss, cornering speeds can be higher, but it’s still hampered by the uncommunicative steering and it doesn’t solve the slightly humorless chassis balance. Is it more fun on the road? Not necessarily.
The adaptive dampers, which cost just an extra £500, are a much more palatable compromise. The setup is not only softer, it is also better damped, which benefits endless daily riding. The extra bit of body roll compensates for the numb steering to let you know what’s going on and the reduced grip of the narrower Pilot Sport 4 tires makes the car a bit more playful at road speeds.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-05-03 23:01:23
